Reportage Photography Workshops is a series of photography workshops on location in the most fascinating cities and outposts of Asia. Interacting closely with world-renowned photojournalists with long experience in the region, participants take on assignments aimed at advancing their photographic skills and vision. The intensive dawn-to-dusk courses involve challenging fieldwork, formal and informal critiques, editing sessions, evening projections and open discussion. In a stunning Asian setting, participants fully engage with the local culture and environment, and learn how to create photographic reportage to the highest standard.
Varanasi And River Ganges
Reportage Photography Workshops will hold its next roving workshop in Varanasi. Varanasi is one of India’s most enigmatic cities situated on the west bank of the legendary River Ganga (Ganges) in the Indian state of Uttar Pradesh. Varanasi is regarded as holy by Hindus, Buddhists and Jains. It is arguably one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world and probably the oldest in India.
One of the world’s most breathtaking rivers the Ganges sleepily snakes past Varanasi’s vast number of Ghats as Hindu’s dispatch their loved ones to the Lord Shiva. Varanasi sears an unforgettable experience and is a rich vein for images. Mark Twain wrote: "...crammed perspective of platforms soaring stairways, sculptured temples, majestic palaces, softening away into the distances; and there is movement, motion, human life everywhere, and brilliantly costumed - streaming in rainbows up and down the lofty stairways..."
HOLI
The workshop will coincide with India’s and Varanasi’s kaleidoscopic Holi Festival (The Festival of Colors) taking place on Mon 9th & Tues 10th. Workshop participants will be able to dive right into the Holi festival and document it. Holi festival signifies the arrival of spring, the end of winter, the blossoming of love. For many it is a time to meet others, play and laugh, forget and forgive, and repair broken relationships. It lasts for a night and a day, starting on the evening of the Purnima (Full Moon day) which falls around the middle of March in the Gregorian calendar. Though essentially a Hindu festival, in recent years the festival has spread to parts of Europe and North America as a spring celebration of love, frolic, and colors. In recent years the festival has spread to parts of Europe and North America as a spring celebration of love, frolic, and colors.
The aim is to produce a photo essay with a striking visual narrative, to be shown on the final evening of March 11th. Tutors will hold individual and group sessions to supervise and edit the assignments, and dialogue intensively on topics such as photographic composition, portraiture, advanced camera techniques, how to research ideas and tell an original story, how to market a body of work, and how to hone your personal style.
The workshop’s schedule will be demanding but highly rewarding. Tutors and field assistants will be on hand constantly to help navigate any areas of difficulty and discuss all your photographic concerns. Interpreters can also be arranged where necessary.
With a maximum of 12 participants, the 5-day workshop event will provide an opportunity to explore the cultural riches and social dynamism of this exotic city and river. Award-winning documentary photographer Jack Picone will lead the workshop together with acclaimed photojournalist artist and filmmaker Stephen Dupont. Both Stephen and Jack will be there to critique and edit participants’ work one-on-one, and also take part in evening projections and discussions.
Cost: US$1,950. Includes all workshop sessions. Workshop cost does not include travel costs to Varanasi and accommodation.
Application: A $US500 deposit will be required at the time of booking to secure a place.
To receive further information or to request a registration form, please contact: Jack or jack@jackpicone.com or Stephen, stephendupont1@mac.com
Links: www.jackpicone.com / www.stephendupont.com
Please Note: We advise that all participants take medical/travel insurance
for all our workshops.